【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2025 年03月276日意大利都靈訊】 ─ 2025年3月27日的早上，歐達德神父以鮑思高神父第11任繼任者身份，選擇了一個充滿極具意義和令人感動的方式來慶祝他作為總會長的第二台感恩祭。他來到華道角母院的療養院，與居住在此的年長和病弱的慈幼會ICP會省會士一同舉行感恩祭。這一體貼的舉動強調了他對慈幼會家庭所有會士的深切責任感和關懷，尤其是那些年長或健康原因無法積極參與獻身工作的會士。
由ICP會省省會長Leonardo Mancini神父陪同，歐達德神父解釋了他做出這一決定的原因，並強調了他的牧民和包容的領導風格。回顧自己的選擇，他說：「我一當選，就想著第一台感恩祭要和總部議會成員一起舉行，這才是應該的。但第二台感恩祭，我和副總會長Stefano神父商量說，我希望和那些為修會奉獻了一生的年長會士們一起舉行。」
稱讚年長的慈幼會會士的貢獻
對歐達德神父來說，這一決定不僅僅是一種感恩的舉動，更是深切表明了年長和病弱的兄弟在慈幼會傳教使命中不可或缺的價值。他強調，年齡或身體限制並不會減弱他們的角色。相反，他們的見證、祈禱和歸屬感依然是慈幼會生活和使命的重要部分。
歐達德神父肯定道：「他們以某種方式在『昨天』為我們『今天』的生活做好了準備。我們通常只是停留在表面上的感謝。我認為感謝他們非常重要；這是必不可少的。但同樣重要的是，我們要有接近的標誌，要有把他們視為我們慈幼會使命不可或缺的一部分，而不是將他們視為外人。」
歐達德神父的話體現了一種以同理心和包容性為根基的領導願景。他提醒會士們，關心年長兄弟是真正慈幼會神修的重要部分。他指出，對青年的關注與對修會年長成會士的照顧之間存在聯繫，二者是不可分割的：
「年長並不意味著變得無用。我們需要以對年輕兄弟的熱情來看待修會眾人，尤其是年長的兄弟。因為如果我們對年長兄弟缺乏同理心、關懷和關注，我就會質疑我們對年輕人的關心、同理心和注意是否有著不同的意義，或許不是出於真正的牧民關懷。當我們真正關心年輕人時，我們也同樣關心每一個人，尤其是那些在主的田野中辛勤勞作後，雖然無法再工作，但仍然極其重要的兄弟。」
慈幼使命以祈禱作為「發電站」
歐達德神父在短暫的講道中，提供了一個強而有力的示意，以說明年長慈幼會會士在使命中的持續角色：
「我們的療養院就像核電站－是我們祈禱的發電站，與主的聯繫。它們的祈禱將我們的使命直接與鮑思高神父相連，正如他所展現他的使命與主息息相關。」
他強調，年長的慈幼會士雖然虛弱，但仍虔誠地祈禱，仍是慈幼會使命的主角。他們的祈禱和信仰是維持修會的工作的重要榜樣，就像發電站為周圍環境提供動力一樣。
感恩與祈禱的早上
與這些奉獻一生於慈幼會使命的年長的慈幼會會士一起舉行感恩祭的經歷，讓歐達德神父深受感動。他表達了與兄弟們共度早上的喜悅和滿足：
「我感到非常滿足，因為我能夠和他們一起度過早上的時光，與他們一起祈禱並為他們祈禱。」
目前，ICP 會省醫院名為「真福斐理伯．李納德」，容納了 14 名會士。這些慈幼會會士奉獻一生和傳播鮑思高神父的神恩，他們透過祈禱、臨在以及對慈幼會忠誠服從，繼續在修會生活中發揮著至關重要的作用。
慈幼會家庭精神的見證
歐達德神父選擇與年長和患病的兄弟們一同舉行他的第二次彌撒，體現了他包容性和牧民的領導風格。這一決定反映了他對每位慈幼會會士的尊重，無論年齡或健康如何，並強調了慈幼家庭和相互關懷的基本價值。這一象徵性舉動根植於感恩、同理心，以及對慈幼會使命的深厚連結，展現了作為一個信仰、服務和愛的家庭的團結。
A Symbolic Gesture of Proximity: Fr. Fabio Attard Celebrates His Second Mass as Rector Major with Elderly and Sick Salesians
(ANS – Italy–Turin, 27 March 2025) – On the morning of 27 March 2025, Fr. Fabio Attard, the 11th successor of Don Bosco, chose a deeply symbolic and heartfelt way to celebrate his second Mass as Rector Major. He visited the infirmary of the Mother House at Valdocco, where the elderly and sick Salesians of the ICP Province reside, to celebrate the Eucharist with them. This thoughtful gesture underscored his profound sense of responsibility and care for all members of the Salesian Congregation, particularly those who, due to their age or health, can no longer actively engage in the fieldwork of the mission.
Accompanied by Fr. Leonardo Mancini, the Provincial of ICP, Fr. Attard explained the reasoning behind his decision, which highlighted his pastoral and inclusive leadership style. Reflecting on his choice, he said: “As soon as I got elected, I had this idea that the first Mass is going to be with the members of the General Chapter. That’s the way it should be. But the second Mass, after a word with my Vicar, Fr. Stefano, I said that I would like to celebrate the second Mass with the older confreres who have given their whole lives for the congregation.”
Recognizing the Contributions of Elderly Salesians
For Fr. Attard, this decision was not merely a gesture of gratitude but a profound statement about the indispensable value of elderly and sick confreres in the Salesian mission. He emphasized that their role is not diminished by age or physical limitations. Instead, their testimony, prayer, and sense of belonging remain integral to the life and mission of the Salesian Congregation.
Fr. Attard affirmed: “These people have somehow prepared ‘yesterday’ what we are ‘living today.’ Usually, we simply stay on the fact of thanking them. I think thanking them is very important; it’s indispensable. But it’s also very important that we have signs of proximity, that we have signs where the same institutional role is considering them not as somebody else, but as part and parcel of our Salesian mission.”
Fr. Attard’s words reflect a vision of leadership grounded in empathy and inclusivity. He reminded the congregation that care for elderly confreres is an essential aspect of authentic Salesian spirituality. He drew a connection between the attention given to young people and the care shown to older members of the community, suggesting that one cannot exist without the other:
“Becoming old does not mean becoming useless. We need to look at our confreres, especially the older ones, with the same enthusiasm that we look at the younger confreres. Because if we do not have empathy, care, and attention to our older confreres, I do question myself whether our care, empathy, and attention to the young has a different meaning, a different motivation rather than the truly pastoral one. When we are truly concerned about the young, we are concerned about everybody, especially our confreres who, after having toiled in the field of the Lord, cannot do any work, but are still extremely important.”
Prayer as a “Power Station” of the Salesian Mission
During his short reflection during the homily, Fr. Attard offered a powerful image to illustrate the continued role of elderly Salesians in the mission:
“Our infirmaries are like nuclear power stations—our power stations of prayer, of connectedness with the Lord. Their prayer connects our mission directly with Don Bosco as he expressed his mission connected with the Lord.”
He affirmed that the elderly Salesians, through their vulnerable yet prayerful presence, remain protagonists in the Salesian mission. Their prayers and example of faith are vital in sustaining the Congregation’s work, much like how a power station fuels its surroundings.
A Morning of Gratitude and Prayer
The experience of celebrating Mass with the elderly Salesians left Fr. Attard deeply moved. He expressed his joy and fulfillment in spending the morning with confreres who have given their lives to the Salesian mission:
“I felt so contented that I was able to spend my morning time with them and pray with them and for them.”
Currently, the ICP Province Infirmary, named “Blessed Philip Rinaldi,” houses 14 confreres. These Salesians, who have dedicated their lives to living and spreading Don Bosco’s charism, continue to play a vital role in the life of the Congregation through their prayer, presence, and enduring example of Salesian fidelity.
A Testament to Salesian Family Spirit
Fr. Fabio Attard’s decision to celebrate his second Mass as Rector Major with the elderly and sick confreres is a testament to his inclusive, pastoral approach to leadership. It reflects his commitment to honoring every member of the Salesian family, regardless of age or physical ability, and underscores the fundamental Salesian value of community and mutual care. This symbolic gesture is rooted in gratitude, empathy, and a deep connection to the Salesian mission as a family united in faith, service, and love.